Our contemporary society and culture and especially social media today has trained us to think that whatever we look like, isn’t good enough. We’re constantly encouraged to try to achieve the perfect image, the perfect look and the perfect skin. But ‘perfect’ only exists in a photoshop world! At present there is a social media trend directed specifically at teenagers, recommending sophisticated skincare routines often with many steps, especially on platforms such as TikTok. But according to clinical dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto:
“It is crucial to highlight the influence of social media on teenagers, as there is a misconception that expensive and intricate products are necessary … rather it is essential to emphasise their skincare routine should prioritise basic hygiene, rather than unnecessary complexity.”
Less is More
Current beauty and skincare trends tend to imply that simply leaving your skin alone is tantamount to negligence. But less is often more when it comes to teenage skincare. Adult products often contain a whole range of ingredients which are unsuitable for a teenager’s naturally youthful skin. For example, the use of anti-aging additives like vitamin C or retinoids are best avoided by young people, as these ingredients can often have a detrimental effect by damaging the skin’s natural protective barrier, and in some cases may even cause flare ups. Applying too many products when they are not suitable or necessary can also create issues – now or in the future – with contact irritation or allergic reactions. Quite apart from the costs involved, a multi-step routine may therefore be doing your complexion more harm than good!
Three Step Hit-List for Teenage Skincare
In my view, there are three basic steps for teenage skin care: cleansing, moisturising and sunscreen. And the most important of these, for long term protection and prevention, is a good sunscreen applied regularly!
Cleansing: Given the hormonal fluctuations typical in teenagers, which can lead to oily, combination or blemish-prone skin, the incorporation of cleansers that contain antibacterial essential oils, such as Tea tree or Fragonia my personal favourite due to it’s lovely citrusy scent!) are very helpful. Most young people experience bouts of acne at times, so I recommend carefully cleansing the face twice daily, morning and evening, using a 100% pure and natural flower water specifically designed for oily or combination skin. Use Tea tree Water for cleansing blemished skin and to help clear up any spots; Geranium or Fragonia Water are ideal for oily or combination skin; while Lavender or Neroli Water are good for normal skin. Simply apply the floral water to a reusable cotton pad and cleanse the face using soft upward strokes. These pure floral waters also act as a gentle hygienic toners too without subjecting your skin to artificial additives or harsh detergents.
However, if you are experiencing a specific problem such as blackheads or pimples, a good skincare routine begins by washing your face in the morning with a gentle aromatherapy soap – not a standard detergent. Our range of Aqua Oleum aromatherapy soaps include a charcoal-based bar ‘Cleanse’ which helps to combat bacteria and encourage a clear complexion.
Then at night, cleanse your skin again to remove any makeup, dirt or pollutants from the day. In this case, you can start by cleansing your skin with a pure carrier oil, such as Light Coconut Oil for a totally natural way to remove make up etc. In this case, apply the cleanser with your fingertips and gently massage onto the face using light upwards movements. Using a cotton pad, remove any final traces of makeup then apply a a flower water suited to you skin type as as a hygienic toner. This is an entirely natural way to help hydrate and maintain the optimum pH balance of your skin and to maintain your youthful protective barrier.
Moisturise/Hydration: After cleansing your skin morning and evening, apply a moisturiser – this could even be a moisturising sunscreen combination. A fantastic moisturising skin conditioner for teenagers is Jojoba oil, an entirely natural product which has a consistency similar to the skin’s own sebum, so it feeds the skin but does not block the pores. For a deeply nourishing moisturiser, Feed Your Skin makes an ideal nighttime agent. It may seem counterintuitive to apply oil to a blemished skin, but this has been shown through research to be an effective and natural method of treatment.
Sun Protection: Applying a sunscreen of factor 30 + on all areas exposed to the sun is essential, and perhaps the most important aspect in future-proofing your skin! To protect your skin from damaging UV rays is vital for all young people – especially during the summer months combined with the effects of global warming! – and always wear a protective hat and sunglasses while outdoors.
In addition, it can be beneficial to gently exfoliate a couple of times a week and apply a natural mask afterwards before applying moisturiser, especially if you are experiencing problem skin. However, beware of scrubbing the face with harsh exfoliants or products that contain synthetic additives or alcohol which will also strip your skin of its natural protective barrier. Finally, following a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water and doing some form of daily exercise are also vital for enjoying naturally beautiful skin.